23 Weeks! Girls you gotta pay your rent!

[Acre4Me]

12 females, 2 males across 6 breeds. All are 23 weeks. We get 5 eggs per day. Coop is well ventilated, temps not too bad but we have had some hot days. They have an elevated coop, so they hang out in the shade underneath in the cool ground when it’s hot. They get morning sun, and their entire run and coop gets completely shaded as the sun moves to the west since their coop and entire run are behind a building. Water always, we add ice to it on the hot days. They eat mostly chicken feed with some treats later in the day. They have free choice oyster shell. Run is 500sqft-plenty of room, although they avoid the sunny parts when it’s hot.

Breeds:
Silver laced Wyandotte (1- she’s laying brown eggs)

Easter Egger (2- both are laying green eggs of 2 different shades)

Black Australorp (3- one is laying brown eggs)

Barred Plymouth Rock (2- one is laying brown eggs)

Dark Brown Leghorn (3- NONE are laying!!! As they lay white eggs, it would be clear they were laying if they would just start)

Black Jersey Giant (1- not laying, hardly any pink or red on her face, comb is black, so I’m not expecting anything from her for some time, but she is getting friendlier).

Come on girls, you gotta start paying rent!!

I know, I know... it will happen soon, but we got our first egg June 30, and it’s been 6 weeks since then <sigh>

 

[bobshere]

They are all different. I had sexlinks that layed at 16 weeks. Others at 26 weeks so they will lay when they’re ready. Some will even take longer but they are still a pleasure to have around.

 

[FeatherstoneFrm]

My freeloaders are 22 weeks old. I have 2 black Australorps cockerels, my girls are 1 BA, 1 RIR, and 1 NHR. The others are only 10 weeks.
The BA and RIR have been squatting for a while and have big pretty red combs, the NHR is nowhere near ready.
No one is interested in the nest boxes. I check around for other nest areas. None. The RIC (rooster in charge) in mating with both BA and RIR.
I hate the waiting.

 

[Acre4Me]

My freeloaders are 22 weeks old. I have 2 black Australorps cockerels, my girls are 1 BA, 1 RIR, and 1 NHR. The others are only 10 weeks.
The BA and RIR have been squatting for a while and have big pretty red combs, the NHR is nowhere near ready.
No one is interested in the nest boxes. I check around for other nest areas. None. The RIC (rooster in charge) in mating with both BA and RIR.
I hate the waiting.

Totally hate the waiting. First egg showed up at 17 weeks...so it really seems like forever since only 5 are laying.

 

[bobshere]

My Black Copper Marans are 10 weeks old. I have a lot more waiting to do. Lol

 

[CannedMonster]

My two Naked Neck pullets are almost 20 weeks.
They’ve been checking out the nesting boxes for about a week now.
I’m not really expecting anything for another 2-4 weeks though.
I think the hardest part is when you have another of the same breed that started laying earlier.

 

[Acre4Me]

My two Naked Neck pullets are almost 20 weeks.
They’ve been checking out the nesting boxes for about a week now.
I’m not really expecting anything for another 2-4 weeks though.
I think the hardest part is when you have another of the same breed that started laying earlier.

Very true! In my list of breeds, you can see that for two breeds, only one is laying, and has been that way for a few weeks! Aargh!

 

[bobshere]

My silkies starting laying at 6 months. Layed for 2 weeks and went broody. Yikes

 

[bobshere]

I find it’s just a bonus having them around. If they give me Eggs that’s great. Another bonus.

 

[Acre4Me]

I find it’s just a bonus having them around. If they give me Eggs that’s great. Another bonus.

Chickens are fun to watch! For us, though, eggs are definitely one reason we have them, which is why we are anxiously awaiting the rest of them to begin laying!